City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

West Springfield, MA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for West Springfield - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

28,635
Residents
$70,401
Median income
$307,900
Median home
$1,734
Median rent (state)

West Springfield - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, West Springfield places in the 50th percentile for household income and the 10th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

50th
percentile, household income
66th
percentile, home value
70th
percentile, median rent
10th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: West Springfield, MA

28,635 people live in West Springfield, Massachusetts - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in West Springfield brings in $70,401 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.7%. Home values in West Springfield run a median of $307,900, and the median resident age is 39.4 years. 34.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 62.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 7 residential building permits were authorized in West Springfield (Construction Slowdown), down 77% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. West Springfield's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3588.5 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Massachusetts carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Massachusetts scores 105.8 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,734 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $330 across Massachusetts, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 92.8 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

28,635 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$70,401 /yr

Poverty 6.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does West Springfield compare to other US cities?

Where West Springfield sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 50% higher than other cities
Home value 66% pricier than other cities
Median rent 70% pricier than other cities
Safety 10% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Massachusetts alone, West Springfield ranks #146 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares West Springfield against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Massachusetts only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Massachusetts-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places West Springfield near the bottom of Massachusetts's cities

Among the 247 Massachusetts cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, West Springfield ranks #211 - the 10th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares West Springfield only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#189 of 233
19th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Gross Rent
#211 of 247
10th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Home Value
#204 of 240
15th percentile in Massachusetts
Poverty Rate
#72 of 247
71st percentile in Massachusetts
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#173 of 247
30th percentile in Massachusetts

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Massachusetts only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

50thIncome percentile
10thSafety percentile

50th percentile nationally for median household income · 10th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

West Springfield's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

West Springfield's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 31 Avg. percentile National median
West Springfield's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How West Springfield's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$307,900 34th percentile more affordable than 34% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. West Springfield $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - West Springfield, MA West Springfield, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West Springfield, MA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution West Springfield, MA median $70,401/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
West Springfield, MA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for West Springfield, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 34.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
28,635
Median Income
$70,401
Median Home Value
$307,900
Median Age
39.4
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Labor force participation
62.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
34.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3588.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
415.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3173.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
28,400 residents28,600 residents28,800 residents29,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 28,766 residents 28,829 residents ▲ +0.2%
West Springfield's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 30
2020 11
2021 8
2022 6
2023 5
2024 7

Permit volume decreased 77% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.8%
Carpool
4.5%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
9.4%
Other
0.8%

Based on 14,690 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Massachusetts - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$160
avg/month
Natural Gas
$110
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$60
avg/month
Total Utilities
$330
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Massachusetts state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Massachusetts state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county West Springfield sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.8
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,734/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Northampton
28,640 people
Bridgewater
28,669 people
Saugus
28,599 people
Agawam
28,510 people
Milton
28,481 people
Danvers
27,924 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Springfield's 28,635 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Carney, MD
28,624 people
Newburgh, NY
28,649 people
Danville, IL
28,663 people
Slidell, LA
28,664 people
Daphne, AL
28,673 people
East Niles, CA
28,586 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Springfield's $70,401 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Greenville, KY
$70,401 median income
Fountain Green, UT
$70,402 median income
Pemberton Heights, NJ
$70,403 median income
Wakeman, OH
$70,393 median income
Branford Center, CT
$70,391 median income
Allensville, PA
$70,391 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West Springfield, MA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition West Springfield, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.1% 6.5% 6.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 13.1% White 76.1% Black or African American 4.7% Asian 6.5% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.6% Two or more races 6.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How West Springfield compares to nearby Massachusetts cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
West Springfield (this city) 28,635 $70,401
Northampton 28,640 $78,467
Bridgewater 28,669 $112,482
Saugus 28,599 $100,819
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Springfield, MA?

What is the population of West Springfield, MA? +

The population of West Springfield, MA stands at 28,635 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in West Springfield, MA? +

Median annual household income in West Springfield runs $70,401, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Springfield? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for West Springfield; the closest available measure is the Massachusetts state average, a cost of living index of 105.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Massachusetts vary by metro area.

Is West Springfield, MA safe? +

West Springfield has a total crime rate of 3588.5 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in West Springfield, MA? +

A typical home in West Springfield is worth $307,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.